House of Commons Journal Volume 11: 16 April 1697

Veneris, 16 die Aprilis;

9° Gulielmi Tertii.

Prayers.

Hammond's Marriage-Settlement.

SIR Henry Colt reported from the Committee, to whom the ingrossed Bill, from the Lords, intituled, An Act for the enabling the Sale of the Manor of Rowling, in Kent; which, by Mistake, was, by general Words, comprised in the Marriage-Settlement of William Hammond Gentleman, contrary to the Meaning of the Parties; was committed; That they had examined and considered the same; and had directed him to report the same to the House, without any Amendment: And he delivered the same in at the Table.

The Bill was read the Third time.

Resolved, That the Bill do pass.

Ordered, That Sir Henry Colt do carry the Bill to the Lords, and acquaint them, That this House hath agreed to the same, without any Amendment.

Marriage of Infants.

Sir Henry Colt reported from the Committee, to whom the ingrossed Bill, from the Lords, intituled, An Act to prevent undue Marriages of Infants; and for better securing the Guardianship of them; was committed; That they had considered the same; and had directed him to report the same to the House, without any Amendment: And he delivered the same in at the Table.

(fn. 1) [And the Bill was read the Third time.]

An ingrossed Clause was offered, as a Rider to the Bill, That no Parson, or Curate, shall marry any Infant without a Certificate, That the Banns were published in the Parish where the Parent, or Guardian, of such Infant doth reside; with Blanks:

And the same was read the First time:

And the Question being put, That the Clause be read a Second time;

It passed in the Negative.

Another ingrossed Clause was offered, as a Rider to the Bill, That no Person who may have the Guardianship of any Infant, by virtue of the Act, shall have any Privilege of Parliament, or other Protection against such Infant, or his Executors, Administrators, or Assigns, whereby to hinder the Recovery of such Infant's Estate:

And the same was read the First time:

And the Question being put, That the Clause be read a Second time;

It passed in the Negative.

An Amendment was proposed to be made in the Preamble of the Bill, after "remedied," to add "And to prevent all Mischiefs arising by the Marriages of Persons superannuated:"

And the Question being put, That the said Words be inserted;

It passed in the Negative.

Another Amendment being proposed to be made in Press last, L. 18. to leave out "Person," and insert near Relation to such Child, not being Heir at Law, nor having a Right to Administration, in case such Child shall die;"

The same was, upon the Question put thereupon, agreed unto by the House.

Another ingrossed Clause was offered, as a Rider to the Bill; with a Blank for the Term of Years for the Bill to continue:

And the same was twice read:

And a Motion being made, and the Question being put, That the Blank be filled up with "Five;"

It passed in the Negative.

Resolved, That the Blank be filled up with "Three."

Then the Question being put, That the Clause be made Part of the Bill;

The House divided.

The Yeas go forth.

So it was resolved in the Affirmative.——

A Message from the Lords, by Sir Miles Cook and Mr. Meredeth:

Mr. Speaker,

Brokers and Stockjobbers.

The Lords have agreed to the Bill, intituled, An Act to restrain the Number, and ill Practice, of Brokers and Stockjobbers, without any Amendment. Also,

Supply Bill; Hawkers and Pedlars.

They have agreed to the Bill, intituled, An Act for licensing Hawkers and Pedlars, for a further Provision for Payment of the Interest of the Transport-Debt, for the Reducing of Ireland, without any Amendment. Also,

Counterfeiting Coin.

The Lords have agreed to the Amendments, made by this House, to the Bill, intituled, An Act for the better preventing the counterfeiting the current Coin of this Kingdom.

And then the Messengers withdrew.

Marriages of Infants.

—Then a Motion being made, and the Question being put, That the Statute of 4 and 5° Phil. & Mariæ, Cap. 8. for the Punishment of such who shall take away young Women that be Inheritors, being within the Age of Sixteen; or marry them without Consent of their Parents; be read;

The House divided.

The Yeas go forth.

So it passed in the Negative.—

A Message from the Lords, by Sir Miles Cook and Mr. Meredeth:

Mr. Speaker,

Supply Bill, Tonage Duty, and Land Tax.

The Lords have agreed to the Bill, intituled, An Act for granting to his Majesty a further Subsidy of Tonage and Poundage upon Merchandizes imported, for the Term of Two Years and Three-quarters; and an additional Land-Tax, for One Year; for carrying on the War against France; without any Amendment:

Exchequer Receipt.

And have also agreed to the Bill, intituled, An Act for the better Observation of the Course anciently used in the Receipt of the Exchequer, without any Amendment.

And then the Messengers withdrew.

Marriages of Infants.

—Then a Motion being made, and the Question being put, That the Statute of 12° Car. IIdi, Cap. 24. for taking away the Court of Wards and Liveries, be read;

The House divided.

The Yeas go forth.

So it passed in the Negative.

And the passing the said Bill to prevent the undue Marriage of Infants; and for better securing the Guardianship of them; being debating;

Royal Assent to Bills.

A Message from the King, by Sir Fleetwood Shepherd, Gentleman-Usher of the Black Rod:

Mr. Speaker,

The King commands this Honourable House to attend him, in the House of Peers, immediately.

Accordingly, Mr. Speaker, with the House, went up, to attend his Majesty: Where his Majesty was pleased to give the Royal Assent to several publick and private Bills; and to make a gracious Speech to both Houses of Parliament.

Parliament prorogued.

And then the Parliament was, by his Majesty's Command, prorogued until the Thirteenth Day of May next.